Cleaning tools

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning tool. The situation where a gate is pulled and hung on the head is suppressed. The cleaning tool of the present invention has a head and a shell. The head has: a pressing portion that presses a cleaning body to a cleaning object, and a neck having a size narrower than that of the pressing portion in a width direction orthogonal to a direction in which the cleaning body is pressed to the cleaning object. The shell makes the pressing portion and the neck protrude in the pressing direction and accommodates the head. The shell is characterized in that the length (w) of the shell in the width direction is greater than the protruding length (h‑t) from the shell to the protruding pressing portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning tool. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a cleaning tool for cleaning an optical connector. The cleaning tool disclosed in Patent document 1 includes a tool body and an extended protrusion having a head, and the tool body is moved relative to the extended protrusion while the cleaning body is pressed against the optical connector by the head, and the end surface of the optical connector is cleaned with the cleaning body, and the cleaning body is supplied / recovered by the relative movement of the tool body and the extended protrusion.

[0003] In addition, Patent Document 2 describes an optical connector with a shutter.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5439557

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-188927

[0006] When cleaning an optical connector with a shutter using a cleaning tool, the shutter may get caught on the head and the cleaning tool may not be pulled out. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to prevent a shutter from being hung on the head.

[0008] The main invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose is a cleaning tool, which comprises: a head, which has: a pressing part that presses a cleaning body on a cleaning object, and a neck that has a size narrower than that of the pressing part in a width direction orthogonal to the direction in which the cleaning body is pressed on the cleaning object; and a shell, which makes the pressing part and the neck protrude in the pressing direction and accommodates the head, and the length of the shell in the width direction is greater than the protruding length from the shell to the protruding pressing part.

[0009] Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the shutter from being caught on the head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1A It is a perspective view of the cleaning tool 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 1B This is an exploded view of the cleaning tool 100 according to the present embodiment with the cover removed.

[0012] Figure 2A It is a side view of the cleaning tool 100 in a normal state. Figure 2B It is a side view of the cleaning tool 100 in the pressed state. Figure 2C This is a diagram illustrating the cleaning action.

[0013] Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B It is a perspective view of the vicinity of the head 40 of the cleaning tool 100 .

[0014] Figure 4A It is a top view of the vicinity of the head 40 . Figure 4B It is a side view of the vicinity of the head 40 . Figure 4C It is a front view of the vicinity of the head 40.

[0015] Figure 5A to Figure 5C It is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the optical connector 50 and the head 40 during cleaning.

[0016] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the cleaning tool 100 is disconnected from the optical connector 50 .

[0017] Fig. 7A This is a diagram showing the dimensions of each part. Figure 7B It is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship of each component when the shutter 53 is opened and closed.

[0018] Fig. 8A Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram of the head 40 of the present embodiment. Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram of the head 40 of a reference example.

[0019] Fig.9A FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of a state when the cleaning tool 100 of the present embodiment is disconnected from the optical connector 50. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of a state when the cleaning tool 100 of the reference example is disconnected from the optical connector 50. FIG.

[0020] Fig. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a head 40 according to a modified example. Fig. 10B is an explanatory diagram of a state when a cleaning tool 100 according to a modified example is disconnected from an optical connector 50. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] ===Present Implementation Method===

[0022] <Overall structure>

[0023] Figure 1A It is a perspective view of the cleaning tool 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 1B This is an exploded view of the cleaning tool 100 according to the present embodiment with the cover removed. Figure 2A It is a side view of the cleaning tool 100 in a normal state. Figure 2B It is a side view of the cleaning tool 100 in the pressed state. Figure 2C This is a diagram illustrating the cleaning action.

[0024] In the following description, Figure 1AAs shown, each direction is defined. That is, the direction in which the extension protrusion 30 (or the front side housing 31) extends from the tool body 10 (or the main body housing 11) is set as the "front-to-back direction", and the side of the extension protrusion 30 is set as the "front" when viewed from the tool body 10, and the opposite side is set as the "rear". In addition, the front-to-back direction is also the direction in which the tool body 10 and the extension protrusion 30 move relative to each other. In addition, the front-to-back direction is the direction in which the cleaning body 1 is pressed against the cleaning object, and is the direction in which the head 40 protrudes from the housing (specifically, the front side housing 31). The front-to-back direction is also referred to as the "pressing direction". In addition, the front side is sometimes referred to as the "front end side" and the rear side is referred to as the "base end side". In addition, the width direction of the strip-shaped cleaning body 1 is set as the "left-right direction" or the "width direction", and the right side when viewed from the rear side toward the front side is set as the "right", and the opposite side is set as the "left". In addition, the width direction is a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the cleaning body 1 is pressed against the cleaning object. In addition, a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is defined as "upper and lower directions", and the supply side of the cleaning element 1 of the end surface (pressing surface) of the head 40 is defined as "upper", and the opposite side is defined as "lower".

[0025] The cleaning tool 100 is a tool for cleaning an optical connector 50. The cleaning tool 100 of this embodiment is used to clean an optical connector 50 with a shutter (described later). The cleaning tool 100 can also clean an optical connector without a shutter. The cleaning tool 100 includes a tool body 10 and an extended protrusion 30.

[0026] The tool body 10 is a component constituting the main body of the cleaning tool 100. The tool body 10 has a main body housing 11 (first housing). The main body housing 11 accommodates a supply reel 12 for supplying the cleaning body 1, a take-up reel 13 (recovery reel) for winding up the used cleaning body 1, and the like. An opening is formed on the front side of the main body housing 11, and an extended protrusion 30 extends from the opening to the front side. A portion (rear portion) of the extended protrusion 30 is accommodated in the main body housing 11. The tool body 10 and the extended protrusion 30 are connected by a rack and pinion mechanism 21, and the main body housing 11 accommodates the rack and pinion mechanism 21. The rack and pinion mechanism 21 is a mechanism that converts the linear motion between the tool body 10 and the extended protrusion 30 into a rotational motion. In addition, the main body housing 11 accommodates a spring 22 disposed between the tool body 10 and the extended protrusion 30. The spring 22 is a component that applies force to the extended protrusion 30 toward the front side relative to the tool body 10.

[0027] The extension protrusion 30 is a member extending from the tool body 10. The extension protrusion 30 has a front housing 31 (second housing) and a head 40.

[0028] The front housing 31 is a cylindrical component that accommodates the head 40. The front housing 31 is a component that constitutes the housing of the cleaning tool 100 together with the main body housing 11. The front housing 31 has a contact portion 31A. The contact portion 31A is a portion that contacts the optical connector 50 (more specifically, the connector housing 51) during cleaning. The head 40 is exposed from an opening of an end surface 31B on the front end side of the front housing 31.

[0029] The head 40 is a component that presses the cleaning body 1 against the end face of the optical connector 50. The head 40 is located at the end (the end on the front side) of the extended protrusion 30. The cleaning body 1 is wound on the pressing surface 41A of the head 40, and the cleaning body 1 is exposed to the outside in a manner that the cleaning body 1 is pressed against the optical connector 50. In addition, a part (the front part) of the head 40 protrudes from the front side housing 31 to the front side and is exposed, and a part (the rear part) of the head 40 is arranged on the inner side of the front side housing 31. The head 40 is housed in the front side housing 31 in a manner that allows it to retreat while being forced to the front side. The detailed structure of the head 40 will be described later.

[0030] like Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B As shown, the extended protrusion 30 can move in the front-rear direction relative to the tool body 10. Figure 2B In the pushed state shown, Figure 2A Compared to the normal state shown, the extended protrusion 30 is retracted toward the inside of the tool body 10 .

[0031] When cleaning the optical connector 50, Figure 2C As shown in FIG. 1 , the cleaning body 1 of the head 40 is pressed against the optical connector 50 (more specifically, the end face of the ferrule of the optical connector 50), and the contact portion 31A of the extended protrusion 30 is in contact with the optical connector 50 (more specifically, the connector housing 51), and the tool body 10 is moved toward the front side (pushing action). As a result, the cleaning tool 100 is moved from Figure 2A The normal state shown becomes Figure 2B , Figure 2C After the pushing action, when the cleaning tool 100 is removed from the optical connector 50, the tool body 10 is moved toward the rear side (pulling action). Figure 2B , Figure 2C The push state shown changes to Figure 2A The normal state shown.

[0032] In one cleaning action, a pushing action and a pulling action are performed. The tool body 10 and the extension protrusion 30 move relative to each other in the front-rear direction by the pushing action and the pulling action. The cleaning tool 100 converts the linear motion of the tool body 10 and the extension protrusion 30 into a rotational motion through the rack and pinion mechanism 21, and uses the rotational force to supply the cleaning body 1 and wind up (recover) the cleaning body 1 after use.

[0033] <Head 40>

[0034] Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B 4 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the head 40 of the cleaning tool 100. Figure 3A 4 shows a state where the cleaning element 1 is wound around the pressing surface 41A of the head 40. Figure 3B The state where the cleaning body 1 is removed is shown in FIG. Figure 4A It is a top view of the vicinity of the head 40 . Figure 4B It is a side view of the vicinity of the head 40 . Figure 4C It is a front view of the vicinity of the head 40.

[0035] The head 40 is a component that presses the cleaning body 1 against the end face (more specifically, the end face of the ferrule) of the optical connector 50. The head 40 includes a pressing portion 41, a neck portion 43, and a guide portion 45. In addition, a portion of the head 40 (e.g., the pressing portion 41, the neck portion 43, and a shoulder portion 45A described later) protrudes from the front housing 31 toward the front end side, and a portion of the head 40 (e.g., the end portion of the base end side of the guide portion 45 described later) is disposed inside the front housing 31.

[0036] The pressing portion 41 is a portion that presses the cleaning body 1 against the cleaning object. The pressing portion 41 is a portion having a pressing surface 41A, and is a portion (head portion) disposed at the front end portion of the head portion 40. The pressing surface 41A is a surface for pressing the cleaning body 1 against the optical connector 50. The front end surface of the pressing portion 41 becomes the pressing surface 41A. The cleaning body 1 is wound on the pressing surface 41A. The unused cleaning body 1 is supplied from the upper side to the pressing surface 41A, and the used cleaning body 1 is sent out to the lower side. In the present embodiment, the strip-shaped cleaning body 1 is wound on the pressing surface 41A. Figure 3B As shown in FIG. 1 , the pressing portion 41 protrudes toward the front end side compared to the end surface of the housing (specifically, the front housing 31) and is exposed from the housing. Figure 3BAs shown, the cleaning body 1 wound on the pressing surface 41A is exposed from the housing. The pressing portion 41 is configured to have a width wider than the width of the strip-shaped cleaning body 1. In other words, the pressing surface 41A is configured to have a width wider than the width of the strip-shaped cleaning body 1. A pair of recesses 41B are formed on the left and right of the pressing surface 41A. The recesses 41B are used to avoid interference with the guide pin protruding from the optical connector 50 (ferrule) to be cleaned. That is, when cleaning the optical connector 50 where the guide pin protrudes, the guide pin is inserted into the recess 41B.

[0037] The pressing portion 41 of the present embodiment is formed with an ear portion 42. The ear portion 42 will be described later. In addition, the pressing portion 41 may not include the ear portion 42.

[0038] The neck portion 43 is provided at the rear side of the pressing portion 41 (see Figure 4A , Figure 4B ). The neck portion 43 is a portion narrower than the pressing portion 41 in the width direction (a portion having a constricted shape). The neck portion 43 is disposed between the pressing portion 41 and the guide portion 45. The neck portion 43 is configured to be elastically deformable. In other words, the neck portion 43 has a function as a deforming portion. The neck portion 43 is elastically deformed, thereby enabling the pressing portion 41 (pressing surface 41A) to be tilted according to the inclination of the end face of the optical connector 50. That is, whether the end face of the optical connector 50 to be cleaned is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction or is an inclined end face, the neck portion 43 can be elastically deformed to tilt the pressing surface 41A in a manner that follows the end face of the optical connector 50, and the cleaning body 1 can be pressed against the end face of the optical connector 50.

[0039] The neck portion 43 is configured to be elastically deformable, so it is a narrow portion. In this embodiment, the width direction (left-right direction) of the neck portion 43 is shorter than the width direction of the pressing portion 41 (see FIG. Figure 4A ). Therefore, when viewed from above, the pressing portion 41 and the neck portion 43 are configured in a T-shape, and the pressing portion 41 protrudes in the width direction relative to the neck portion 43. In addition, the width direction dimension of the neck portion 43 is shorter than the width direction dimension of the guide portion 45. Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 4 , the neck portion 43 is shaped to be narrowed in the width direction relative to the pressing portion 41 and the guide portion 45. Figure 3B as well as Figure 4A As shown, the neck portion 43 protrudes toward the front end side relative to the end surface 31B of the housing (specifically, the front housing 31 ) and is exposed from the housing.

[0040] The guide portion 45 is a portion that guides the cleaning body 1 in the front-to-back direction and guides the head 40 in the front-to-back direction relative to the front shell 31. The guide portion 45 is a portion that is elongated in the front-to-back direction and is housed in the front shell 31 except for the front portion. The guide portion 45 is housed in the front shell 31 in a manner that allows it to move backward while being forced forward. The upper surface and the lower surface of the guide portion 45 serve as guide surfaces that guide the cleaning body 1 in the front-to-back direction. The cleaning body 1 passes through the gap between the upper surface and the lower surface of the guide portion 45 and the upper and lower inner surfaces of the front shell 31. The side surface of the guide portion 45 serves as a guide surface that guides the head 40 in the front-to-back direction relative to the front shell 31. The side surface of the guide portion 45 is arranged opposite to the side surface of the inner side of the front shell 31, and the side surface of the guide portion 45 slides in the front-to-back direction relative to the front shell 31.

[0041] The guide portion 45 is wider than the neck portion 43 (see Figure 4A ). Therefore, a step-like portion is formed between the guide portion 45 and the neck 43. In the following description, the step-like portion of the front edge of the guide portion 45 (the portion protruding in the width direction compared to the neck 43) is sometimes referred to as the shoulder 45A. The shoulder 45A is a portion on the rear side of the neck 43 and is a portion protruding outward (outward in the width direction) compared to the neck 43. Figure 3B as well as Figure 4A As shown, the shoulder 45A is provided between the neck 43 and the housing (specifically, the front housing 31). The shoulder 45A protrudes toward the front end side compared to the end surface 31B of the housing and is exposed from the housing.

[0042] Figure 5A to Figure 5C It is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the optical connector 50 and the head 40 during cleaning.

[0043] The optical connector 50 to be cleaned is an optical connector 50 with a shutter. The optical connector 50 has a ferrule (not shown), a connector housing 51, and a shutter 53. The ferrule (not shown) is a component that holds the end of the optical fiber. The end face of the ferrule is the object of cleaning, and the cleaning body 1 is pressed against the end face of the ferrule. The connector housing 51 is a component (housing) that accommodates the ferrule. In addition, the connector housing 51 is sometimes also called an adapter.

[0044] The gate 53 is a component that shields the optical signal. The gate 53 shields the optical signal emitted from the ferrule (not shown) to prevent the optical signal from leaking to the outside. In addition, the gate 53 is also a component that prevents dust from entering the connector housing 51. The gate 53 is arranged inside the cylindrical connector housing 51 and can be opened and closed. Figure 5AAs shown, in a normal state, the shutter 53 is in a closed state, shielding the optical signal emitted from the ferrule (not shown). If the counterpart optical connector (not shown) is inserted into the optical connector 50, the shutter 53 is pushed open by the counterpart optical connector, and the ferrules of the optical connectors abut against each other to be optically connected. The shutter 53 is configured not to contact the ferrule (not shown) in the connector housing 51 when it is pushed open.

[0045] The gate 53 is opened and closed with the opening and closing mechanism 53A as a base point. The opening and closing mechanism 53A of the present embodiment is composed of a hinge, and the gate 53 is opened and closed with the rotation axis of the hinge as the center. Among them, the opening and closing mechanism 53A is not limited to a hinge. For example, the gate 53 can also be formed by bending a metal plate, and the bent part is used as the opening and closing mechanism 53A, and the gate 53 is opened and closed by elastically deforming the bent part (deformation part).

[0046] In this embodiment, if Figure 5A As shown, the opening and closing mechanism 53A is arranged on the inner wall surface of the right side of the connector housing 51. The opening and closing mechanism 53A of the gate 53 may also be arranged on the inner wall surface of the left side of the connector housing 51. In addition, the opening and closing mechanism 53A of the present embodiment is arranged on one side of the inner wall surface of the connector housing 51 in the width direction, and one gate 53 is configured to open on one side. The opening and closing mechanism 53A may also be arranged on the inner wall surfaces of both sides in the width direction of the connector housing 51, and a pair of gates 53 arranged on both sides in the width direction are configured to open on both sides (oppositely).

[0047] like Figure 5A As shown, in the stage before the head 40 is inserted into the optical connector 50 (specifically, the connector housing 51), the shutter 53 is in a closed state. Figure 5B as well as Figure 5C As shown, when the head 40 is inserted into the optical connector 50 (specifically, the connector housing 51), the shutter 53 is pushed open by the head 40 (specifically, the pressing portion 41 and the shoulder 45A) and the front housing 31, and the shutter 53 is opened. Figure 5C As shown, the extension protrusion 30 (including the head 40) is inserted into the optical connector 50 (specifically, the connector housing 51) until the abutment portion 31A of the front housing 31 abuts against the edge of the opening of the connector housing 51. Figure 5C As shown in FIG. 1 , after the contact portion 31A of the front housing 31 contacts the edge of the opening of the connector housing 51, the tool body 10 is further moved toward the front side (pushing action), whereby the tool body 10 moves toward the front side relative to the extending protrusion 30 to be in a pushed state (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2B as well as Figure 2C ).

[0048] However, as already described, the shutter 53 is formed so as not to contact the ferrule (not shown) when pushed open. Figure 5B , Figure 5C The end 53B of the gate 53 shown is close to the inner side of the connector housing 51 (the front side when viewed from the head 40). When the cleaning tool 100 is used to clean the ferrule configured in this way (when the cleaning body 1 is pressed against the ferrule by the head 40), as shown in FIG. Figure 5B , Figure 5C As shown in FIG. 4 , the pressing portion 41 of the head portion 40 is located on the front side relative to the end portion 53B of the gate 53. Figure 5C As shown, when the contact portion 31A of the front housing 31 contacts the edge of the opening of the connector housing 51 , the pressing portion 41 of the head 40 is located forward of the end portion 53B of the shutter 53 .

[0049] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram of the state when the cleaning tool 100 is removed from the optical connector 50. In a state where the contact portion 31A of the front housing 31 contacts the edge of the opening of the connector housing 51 (see Figure 5C ), when the cleaning tool 100 is unplugged from the optical connector 50, as shown Figure 6 As shown, the pressing portion 41 of the head 40 reaches the position of the end 53B of the gate 53. At this time, the gate 53 is pulled and hung on the head 40 (especially the constricted portion between the pressing portion 41 and the shoulder 45A), and there is a concern that the cleaning tool 100 cannot be pulled out.

[0050] Fig. 7A This is a diagram showing the dimensions of each part. Figure 7B It is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship of each component when the shutter 53 is opened and closed.

[0051] like Fig. 7A As shown on the left side of FIG. 5 , the length of the gate 53 is L. The length L of the gate 53 is the length of the portion protruding in the opening of the connector housing 51, and is the length from the position where the front housing 31 contacts to the end 53B. In addition, the internal dimension of the opening of the connector housing 51 (the interval of the inner wall surface of the connector housing 51 in the width direction) is H.

[0052] In addition, if Figure 7BAs shown on the right side of , the length (width) of the front shell 31 in the width direction is set to w. The length w is the length (width) of the front end portion (the end portion closer to the front end side than the abutment portion 31A) of the front shell 31 in the width direction. In addition, the protruding length of the head 40 protruding from the end surface 31B of the front shell 31 is set to h. The protruding length h becomes the length in the front-to-back direction (pressing direction) between the end surface 31B of the front shell 31 and the pressing surface 41A of the pressing portion 41 of the head 40. In addition, the length of the pressing portion 41 in the front-to-back direction (pressing direction) is set to t. The length t becomes the length in the front-to-back direction (pressing direction) between the pressing surface 41A of the pressing portion 41 of the head 40 and the end portion on the base end side of the pressing portion 41. As described later, in the case where the pressing portion 41 has an ear portion 42, the end portion on the base end side (front shell 31 side) of the ear portion 42 becomes the end portion on the base end side of the pressing portion 41. The protruding length from the end surface 31B of the front housing 31 to the protruding pressing portion 41 is ht. The protruding length ht is the length in the front-rear direction (pressing direction) between the end surface 31B of the front housing 31 and the end of the pressing portion 41 on the proximal side.

[0053] In order to prevent dust from intruding into the connector housing 51, the gate 53 needs to eliminate the gap between the end 53B of the gate 53 and the inner wall surface of the connector housing 51. Therefore, the length L of the gate 53 is approximately equal to H (L≈H). In addition, in order to suppress the positional deviation of the cleaning tool 100 relative to the connector housing 51 in the width direction, H and w are set approximately equal (H≈w). As described above, since L≈H and H≈w, the length L of the gate 53 is approximately equal to w (L≈w).

[0054] In addition, if Figure 7B As shown, the gate 53 is opened by the front housing 31 contacting the gate 53, or the gate 53 is closed by the front housing 31 moving away from the gate 53. Figure 7B As shown, immediately after the shutter 53 is opened and closed, the end 53B of the shutter 53 is located at a position separated from the end surface 31B of the front housing 31 by a length L. In addition, immediately after the shutter 53 is opened and closed, the end of the base end side of the pressing portion 41 is located at a position separated from the end surface 31B of the front housing 31 by a length ht.

[0055] In order to prevent the end 53B of the gate 53 from being caught on the pressing portion 41, it is preferred that the end 53B of the gate 53 is located closer to the front end side than the end on the rear side of the pressing portion 41 just after the gate 53 is opened and closed. That is, the condition for the end 53B of the gate 53 not to be caught on the pressing portion 41 is L≥ht. Here, as already explained, since L and w are substantially equal (L≈w), the condition for the end 53B of the gate 53 not to be caught on the pressing portion 41 is w≥ht. That is, the condition (w≥ht) that the length w of the front side shell 31 in the width direction is greater than the protruding length ht from the front side shell 31 to the protruding pressing portion 41 can be satisfied, thereby preventing the end 53B of the gate 53 from being caught on the pressing portion 41.

[0056] The conditional expression w≥ht can be replaced by t≥hw. That is, if the length t of the pressing portion 41 in the front-to-back direction (pressing direction) is greater than the value (hw) obtained by subtracting the width w of the front shell 31 from the protruding length h of the head 40 protruding from the end surface 31B of the front shell 31, the end 53B of the gate 53 can be prevented from being hung on the pressing portion 41.

[0057] In the present embodiment, as described below, the ear portion 42 is provided on the pressing portion 41, thereby making it possible to set the dimension t of the pressing portion 41 in the front-to-back direction longer. As a result, it becomes a structure that easily satisfies the conditional expression w≥ht (or the conditional expression t≥hw), so it is easy to suppress the situation where the shutter 53 is caught on the head 40. In addition, when the pressing portion 41 is provided with the ear portion 42, the end portion (rear end) of the base end side (front side housing 31 side) of the ear portion 42 corresponds to the end portion of the base end side of the pressing portion 41. That is, the protruding length ht is the length in the front-to-back direction (pressing direction) between the end surface 31B of the front side housing 31 and the end portion of the base end side (front side housing 31 side) of the ear portion 42.

[0058] <Ear 42>

[0059] Fig. 8A Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram of the head 40 of the present embodiment. Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram of the head 40 of the reference example. Fig.9A Fig. 9B is an explanatory diagram of a state when the cleaning tool 100 of the present embodiment is unplugged from the optical connector 50. Fig. 9B is an explanatory diagram of a state when the cleaning tool 100 of the reference example is unplugged from the optical connector 50. The pressing portion 41 of the reference example is not provided with the ear portion 42.

[0060] The ear 42 is a portion that prevents the end 53B of the shutter 53 from being caught on the pressing portion 41. The ear 42 is a portion that protrudes from the back of the pressing portion 41 toward the rear side (front housing 31 side). The ear 42 is provided on the left and right edges of the pressing portion 41. The ear 42 is shaped to protrude from the back of the pressing portion 41 toward the rear side. When the cleaning tool 100 is unplugged from the optical connector 50, the ear 42 reaches the position of the end 53B of the shutter 53 before the pressing portion 41. At this time, if Fig.9A As shown, when the cleaning tool 100 is unplugged from the optical connector 50, the end 53B of the shutter 53 engages with the ear 42, and the end 53B of the shutter 53 rests on the side of the pressing portion 41 via the ear 42. Thus, in this embodiment, the end 53B of the shutter 53 can be prevented from being caught on the pressing portion 41.

[0061] In this embodiment, ears 42 are provided at both ends of the pressing portion 41 in the width direction (see Fig. 8A ). In addition, the ear portion 42 is configured to sandwich the front portion of the neck 43 from the width direction (left-right direction) (refer to Fig. 8A ) By providing a pair of ears 42 so as to sandwich the front portion of the neck 43, it is possible to prevent the end 53B of the shutter 53 from being caught on the pressing portion 41 even when the cleaning tool 100 is used upside down.

[0062] In this embodiment, a gap is formed between the neck 43 and the ear 42. Specifically, a gap is formed between the side surface of the neck 43 in the width direction and the inner surface of the ear 42 on both sides in the width direction. This allows elastic deformation of the neck 43. (If the ear 42 and the neck 43 are connected without a gap, the neck 43 will be in a shape that is difficult to elastically deform.)

[0063] In the present embodiment, there is no step on the side of the pressing portion 41 (there is no step between the side of the portion other than the ear 42 of the pressing portion 41 and the side of the ear 42), and the side of the portion other than the ear 42 of the pressing portion 41 is continuous with the side of the ear 42. Thus, the end 53B of the shutter 53 can be smoothly placed on the side of the pressing portion 41 via the ear 42, and the end 53B of the shutter 53 can be prevented from being caught on the pressing portion 41. In addition, even if a step is formed between the side of the portion other than the ear 42 of the pressing portion 41 and the side of the ear 42, a step is formed on the side of the pressing portion 41, and since the step is smaller than the step between the back of the pressing portion 41 and the neck 43 of the reference example (see FIG. 8B ), the end 53B of the shutter 53 can be prevented from being caught on the pressing portion 41 compared with the reference example. However, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that there is no step on the side of the pressing portion 41.

[0064] The side surface of the ear portion 42 is an inclined surface 42A. The inclined surface 42A of the ear portion 42 is a surface that becomes more inward as it approaches the rear side. In other words, the normal line of the inclined surface 42A of the ear portion 42 is directed toward the outer side in the width direction and toward the rear side (refer to Fig. 8A ). Therefore, the rear edge (end on the rear side) of the inclined surface 42A of the ear 42 is located on the inner side in the width direction (left-right direction) than the front edge of the inclined surface 42A. The front edge of the inclined surface 42A of the ear 42 is located at the rear edge of the side surface of the pressing portion 41, thereby, there is no step on the side surface of the pressing portion 41 (there is no step between the side surface of the portion other than the ear 42 of the pressing portion 41 and the side surface of the ear 42), and the side surface of the portion other than the ear 42 of the pressing portion 41 is continuous with the side surface of the ear 42. The side surface of the ear 42 is the inclined surface 42A, thereby, the end 53B of the gate 53 can be guided to the side surface of the pressing portion 41 by the inclined surface 42A, so that the situation where the end 53B of the gate 53 is hung on the pressing portion 41 can be suppressed.

[0065] The end (rear edge) of the inclined surface 42A of the ear 42 is arranged on the inner side of the shoulder 45A in the width direction (left-right direction). Thus, when the cleaning tool 100 is unplugged from the optical connector 50, the end 53B of the gate 53 that enters the inner side of the shoulder 45A can be prevented from being caught on the pressing portion 41.

[0066] In this embodiment, if Figure 4B As shown, two ears 42 are formed along the upper and lower edges of the pressing portion 41 in the width direction. That is, in this embodiment, ears 42 are formed at the four corners of the rear surface of the pressing portion 41. A gap is formed between the upper and lower ears 42. That is, the two ears 42 are arranged with a gap in the upper and lower directions perpendicular to the front-back direction (pressing direction) and the width direction. The gap between the two ears 42 arranged in the upper and lower directions is in contact with the concave portion 41B (see Figure 3B ). Therefore, even if the guide pin protrudes from the optical connector 50 (not shown) to be cleaned, the guide pin is inserted into the recess 41B during cleaning and is inserted between the pair of ears 42 arranged up and down. Thus, interference between the guide pin protruding from the optical connector 50 (not shown) to be cleaned and the ears 42 can be avoided.

[0067] <Modification>

[0068] Fig. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a head 40 according to a modified example. Fig. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a state when a cleaning tool 100 according to a modified example is disconnected from an optical connector 50.

[0069] Even in the modified example, the ear portion 42 is in a shape that protrudes from the rear side of the pressing portion 41. Even in the modified example, as shown in FIG10B , when the cleaning tool 100 is unplugged from the optical connector 50, the end 53B of the shutter 53 engages with the ear portion 42, and the end 53B of the shutter 53 rests on the side surface of the pressing portion 41 via the ear portion 42. Thus, even in the modified example, it is possible to suppress the end 53B of the shutter 53 from being caught on the pressing portion 41.

[0070] In the modified example, the side surface of the ear portion 42 is a surface perpendicular to the left-right direction, and the side surface of the ear portion 42 and the side surface of the pressing portion 41 are formed into the same plane. That is, in the modified example, there is no inclined surface 42A on the side surface of the ear portion 42. As in the modified example, even if there is no inclined surface 42A on the ear portion 42, it is possible to suppress the end 53B of the gate 53 from being hung on the pressing portion 41. In addition, even in the modified example, there is no step on the side surface of the pressing portion 41 and the side surface of the portion other than the ear portion 42 of the pressing portion 41 is continuous with the side surface of the ear portion 42. As in the modified example, if there is no step on the side surface of the pressing portion 41 and the side surface of the portion other than the ear portion 42 of the pressing portion 41 is continuous with the side surface of the ear portion 42, the end 53B of the gate 53 can be smoothly placed on the side surface of the pressing portion 41 via the ear portion 42, and it is possible to suppress the end 53B of the gate 53 from being hung on the pressing portion 41.

[0071] ===Other Implementation Methods===

[0072] The above-mentioned embodiments are for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the embodiments of the present invention. Of course, the present invention can be changed / improved within the scope of the gist thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0073] Description of Reference Numerals

[0074] 1…cleaning body, 10…tool body, 11…body housing, 12…supply reel, 13…take-up reel, 21…rack and pinion mechanism, 22…spring, 30…extended protrusion, 31…front housing, 31A…abutment portion, 31B…end surface, 40…head, 41…pressing portion, 41A…pressing surface, 41B…recess, 42…ear, 42A…inclined surface, 43…neck, 45…guide portion, 45A…shoulder, 50…optical connector, 51…connector housing, 53…gate, 53A…opening and closing mechanism, 53B…end, 100…cleaning tool.

Claims

1. A cleaning tool, characterized in that: have: A head portion having: a pressing portion for pressing a cleaning body against a cleaning object, a neck portion having a size narrower than that of the pressing portion in a width direction perpendicular to a direction in which the cleaning body is pressed against the cleaning object, and a shoulder portion protruding outward in the width direction compared with the neck portion, the neck portion being disposed between the pressing portion and the shoulder portion; and a housing for housing the head in a state where the pressing portion, the neck portion, and the shoulder portion protrude and are exposed in the pressing direction; The length of the housing in the width direction is greater than a protruding length from the housing to the protruding pressing portion.

2. The cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: An ear portion protruding toward the housing is provided at an end portion of the pressing portion in the width direction.

3. The cleaning tool according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressing portion includes a pair of ear portions arranged along the width direction so as to sandwich the neck portion.

4. The cleaning tool according to claim 3, characterized in that: A gap is formed between the neck portion and the ear portion.

5. The cleaning tool according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The side surface of the ear portion is an inclined surface which becomes more inclined toward the inner side in the width direction as it approaches the housing side.

6. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, characterized in that: A shoulder portion is provided between the neck and the housing and protrudes outward in the width direction relative to the neck. The end portion of the inclined surface on the housing side is arranged on the inner side of the shoulder portion in the width direction.

7. The cleaning tool according to any one of claims 2 to 4 and 6, characterized in that: The pressing portion has a recessed portion through which the guide pin is inserted during cleaning. The two ears are arranged at the end of the pressing portion in the width direction with a gap therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction and the width direction. The guide pin inserted into the recess is inserted into the gap between the two ear portions.

8. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pressing portion has a recessed portion through which the guide pin is inserted during cleaning. The two ears are arranged at the end of the pressing portion in the width direction with a gap therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction and the width direction. The guide pin inserted into the recess is inserted into the gap between the two ear portions.

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